The automaker's just teased an image of its new Bronco, and promises a Bronco-lite model and an electric Mustang-Escape hybrid

DEARBORN, Mich. — Not often do auto manufacturers lift the curtain to give a sneak peek at future product. Ford Uncovered did just that — it gave a glimpse into what’s coming down the pipe between now and 2020.

In simple terms, Ford is in the process of transitioning from an automobile company to one that will key in on trucks and SUVs.

Yes, there will be a couple of new cars. One is to be announced at the New York International Auto Show, the other’s the re-emergence of the Mustang Shelby GT500 — it will be the most powerful Mustang ever produced, with a rumoured 700-plus horsepower on tap.

Those two introductions, however, pale in comparison to the SUV and truck barrage that’s about to be unleashed in the next couple of years. Along with the recently revamped Edge, Edge ST, EcoSport and new Expedition will come an all-new Escape, an equally new Explorer with an ST derivative and two new SUVs: the latest incarnation of the Bronco (teased in the image at top) and an as-yet-to-be-named model.

The two newcomers will take the Explorer’s format – rugged, but on-road focused – and amp-up the off-road side of the ledger. The unnamed truck and Bronco were not designed to tackle Moab’s radical off-road scene, but to give a Ford owner a totally new level of off-road performance. Both look to take aim at the likes of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and, perhaps, Land Rover.

A teaser image of Ford’s upcoming compact off-roader.Handout /
Ford

This radical transformation will see 75 percent of Ford’s product portfolio be renewed by 2020 and, more importantly, the average age of the SUV range will drop from around 6 years to 3.3 years over the same time period, reducing the time from sketch to production by 20 percent will be one of the key drivers.

The other new entry coming in the same timeframe is something that will be a literal shocker when launched. Picture a Mustang complete with V8-like power derived from an all-electric powertrain; and blend it with the attributes of something along the lines of a slightly larger Escape, and you have, says Ford, a ride that will offer unprecedented levels of performance and driving range without sacrificing utility. It is a looker and then some!

In announcing this futuristic ride, Jim Farley, president of Global Markets, landed the line of the conference. Given its blend of utility and performance in a zero-emissions format, and taking a shot at Tesla, he said “we will not have to fire it up into space to make it famous.” Indeed, Ford will not!

New vehicles aside, the next two years will see Ford shift its operational structure. Moving forward the myriad platforms that underpin the portfolio today will be replaced by five basic, scalable, architectures. These will include a front-drive unibody (for Escape et al), a rear-drive unibody (Explorer), a commercial van unibody (Transit) along with the body-on-frame layout for the F-Series range and a battery electric vehicle (BEV) architecture.

The key here is that streamlining the platforms from many to a handful reduces cost, improves quality and increases efficiency. A good example of unnecessary complication/duplication today is found in the range of moonroof structures required — there are seven different variants. Joe Hinrichs, president of the Americas, wants this to drop to two, or maybe three, units that will cater to the entire portfolio. In the end, this strategy will see 70 percent of a given vehicle’s makeup being comprised of common components; the remaining 30 percent allows the flexibility to customize each vehicle to suit its intended segment.

Moving forward Ford will be adding things like the Waze app to its Sync3 platform and equipping it portfolio with 4G LTE connectivity by 2019. The unspoken plus with having a connected vehicle is simple — Ford will roll out over-the-air updates for things like navigation and infotainment systems, which gives the customer easy access to the latest software. For the owner this means less downtime and fewer dealer visits.

In another move aimed at reducing the number of portable generators bungee-strapped into the bed of an F-Series pickup, the next-gen F-150 will arrive with a hybrid derivative. It not only promises to deliver “superb” fuel economy, it will come with a built-in generator. This and adding a hybrid model to all models is a move aimed at seeing Ford surpass Toyota as the top seller of hybrids.

This sort of thinking is big business — the push towards evermore connected and autonomous vehicles with greater electrification represents, says Jim Hackett, Ford CEO, is a potential US$11-trillion business in coming years.

Any seminar that did not touch on the safety of the automobile and its occupants would not be complete. Ford will roll out its Co-Pilot360 safety intuitive. It bundles five key systems under the banner and it will be standard on all future models. The system includes forward collision avoidance with auto-braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, a back-up camera and auto-high beams.

This is a move for the better, given the spotty availability of these key safety systems on the current range of product. Further out, items like post-collision braking, evasive steering and a feature that prevents the vehicle from backing into something by applying the brakes will become available.

As it stands, Ford’s shift to a largely SUV lineup that’s supported by the best selling pickup in the business looks like a sage strategy. Certainly rationalizing the platform lineup and reducing the number of models on a on a given vehicle make eminent sense. As long as the price of gas remains sane the transformation will put Ford in good stead for the coming years. If gas prices go wild, which most are predicting will be the case, the dearth of small fuel-efficient cars may change the picture.